Purchased a Digital tv converter box off Amazon but only get 3 channels. Rest say scrambled.

Purchased a Digital tv converter box off Amazon but only get 3 channels. Rest say scrambled.

I just now hooked up this thing to my tv thinking I can watch cable again on my spare tv and it isn't working. Plugged in the coax cable into RF in on the box and then hdmi to the tv.

I auto scanned for channels several times and switched the input signal in the menu from antenna to cable. I get like three channels and the rest are scrambled. Do I need to call customer service for them to do something on their end? I'm at a loss.

I have a spectrum cable box on my main tv and a Roku on my other spare tv but I don't like the spectrum app.

Update- After reading up on this more it looks like buying a used tivo is the only alternative to a Roku. I don't want to rent the box from spectrum for 12 a month and and I can't switch from twc legacy to spectrum pricing cuz I'm on a great promo deal.

The only equipment you can buy and use to watch linear video is a Tivo. You'd still need to rent a cablecard from Spectrum ($2 / mo.) to use the Tivo, but you'll also need to pay Tivo for guide data (which is probably more than renting a box from Spectrum) unless the Tivo comes with Product Lifetime Service (now called "all-in".

You cannot "buy" your own cable box and use it to watch any encrypted programming, which is pretty much everything nowadays... So it's:

1. Rent a box (linear)

2. Buy a Roku (IPTV)

3. Buy a Tivo (linear) & pay for guide service, rent a CableCard, and also get a tuning adapter (for the Switched-Digital Video Channels)

Thanks for the info everyone. The Amazon seller didn't imply anything. I just assumed it would work. I thought I could buy my own the same way with routers and modems. It's like the cable company wants me to use the app.

I'm also old so the thought of having to pay the cable company for every tv now wasn't the reality in my mind. It's always been pay for one and the rest are free without extra boxes. This really stinks.

@Jingorowrote:Thanks for the info everyone. The Amazon seller didn't imply anything. I just assumed it would work. I thought I could buy my own the same way with routers and modems. It's like the cable company wants me to use the app.

I'm also old so the thought of having to pay the cable company for every tv now wasn't the reality in my mind. It's always been pay for one and the rest are free without extra boxes. This really stinks.

I can understand your comment about not liking the Spectrum TV app, especially with no way to go to a channel with direct input, but you might be able to get used to it.

To make it eaier to use, remember you can sort the channels by network name, so channels aren't repeated and are easier to find by scrolling, you can set up a list of favorite channels, and there is a recently watched channels section, too.